Resource Review: Videos That Teach

I am always on the lookout for good resources that youth directors and youth pastors can use. One that is been around for a while is called "Videos That Teach” by Doug Fields and Eddie James . The basic premise of this resource is to take teachable moments from modern-day movies that you can use as discussion starters, sermon illustrations, r complete programs on various topics.

Currently there are four volumes of this resource that cover about 75 modern films in each volume. They are broken down by movies (in alphabetical order) or quick clip locators by topic or Bible reference. There's a section on how to best use this resource in each volume written by the authors. Each clip gives you information on the movie (specifically what the rating), when the clip starts and when the clip ends), Bible passages that relate to the clip and a list of 6 to 8 questions that you can use to help get the discussion started.

What makes this resource so appealing is its versatility.  If you are teaching on a specific Bible verse or topic you can search very quickly to see if there is a video clip that can be used to help drive your point home. Another appealing aspect to these resources are that they are very affordable costing about $13 per book. If you are in a local church within the Susquehanna Conference of the United Methodist Church our resource center, Discovery Place, has all four volumes available to be checked out.

I highly recommend these resources and wish you luck in your creativity in how to use them in your youth ministry.

Resource Review: You Lost Me Small Group Study

If you have never heard the name of David Kinnaman, then you have truly missed out. David Kinnaman is a co-author of the best-selling book Unchristian and president of the Barna group, a private, nonpartisan research and resource company. His latest book, You Lost Me, discusses why young people who grew up in the church leave the church. If you haven’t had a chance to get the book, I would highly recommend it.

Recently he has come out with a discussion guide and small group lesson plan based on his book. The study is composed of 6 sessions and explores why Christians who are between the ages of 18 to 29 leave the church and rethink their faith. In this study you will discover why the younger generation often sees the church as overprotective, shallow, anti-intellectual, exclusive, repressive, and intolerant of doubt. You’ll discuss tough questions that resist pat answers. And you discover loving, biblical ways to reconnect to young people with kindness, compassion, and humility. If you care about the future of the church, you will want to check this resource out.

You can follow David Kinnaman on Twitter@davidkinnaman